Are All Hearing Aids The Same?

Last Updated: Feb 21st, 2019

Want to buy a hearing aid? Want to know the difference between hearing aids? Yes, you came to the right place. If we see from the manufacturing standpoint, the answer will be ‘yes’. This is because every hearing aid consists of a microphone, amplifier, receiver, and battery. But if you compare the functioning and working of all hearing aid machines, the answer will be ‘no’. All the hearing aids are different in usage, technology, quality, and price. Hearing Aid have their own purpose. As we know there are 3 kinds of hearing loss –

Components of Hearing Aids

Microphone: It receives the sounds waves from the air and converts them into electrical signals. There are two types of microphones:

Directional: Directional microphones receives the signal from the person standing in front of the person who is wearing them.

Omnidirectional: Omnidirectional microphones receives the signal from all the directions.

Now-a-days, most of the hearing aids came up with both mics features i.e. directional and omnidirectional.

Amplifier: The signal received from the microphone goes to the amplifier which increases the power of a signal.

Receiver: It converts the digital signal into vibration. This passes through the inner ear to the brain. Some of the hearing aids are directly set into a particular position in the ear canal, while some others set near by a small tube by which it connects and inserted into the ear.

Battery: Battery provides the power to the hearing machine.

Different Hearing Aids and their Uses

There are different styles of hearing aids-

Canal Hearing Aids

They fit inside your ear and are harder to see. Four types of canal hearing aids are- In-the-canal (ITC), Completely-in-canal (CIC), Invisible-in-Canal (IIC) and Behind the Ear (BTE). They can help in mild to moderately severe hearing loss. This type of hearing aid isn’t ideal for children or adults who might have problems with very small devices

In-the-ear (ITE)

It fits completely inside your outer ear. Best for people with mild to severe hearing loss. They don’t work for the children whose ears are still growing. They came with multiple sizes and strengths but can be seen by another person from the ear side.

In-the-canal (ITC)

ITC aids smaller in size and less visibility as compare to ITE as they fit right into your ear canal.

Completely in the canal (CIC)

CIC hearing aids fit into your ear canal a little bit far way than ITC hearing aids. Their visibility very less unless someone looks up directly into your ear. They have features of hearing loop setting because they are tiny in size.

Invisible in the canal (IIC)

These are installed at last of the ear canal. They are installed and removed by the only audiologist, who maintains the hygiene.

Behind-the-ear (BTE)

It is covered in a hard plastic case behind the ear. It fits inside the outer ear and directs the sound coming from outside to the ear. A Mini BTE fits entirely behind the ear. And its narrow tube goes into the ear canal. This helps in building up of earwax and ensures that your own voice sounds clear. Anyone can use BTE hearing aids regardless of age and amount of hearing loss.

A tiny loudspeaker held in the ear by a soft tip which is connected via a wire which runs through the hearing aid. Multiple terms use for this type of aid such as receiver in the ear, receiver in the canal, and loudspeaker in the ear. They are not suitable for all hearing losses.